Chris Bingham worked as an officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department during the day. He also ran a gun shop in the city of Twentynine Palms on the side for many years.
The Los Angeles Times writes that officials now say he did more than those two things every day and that he had "a complicated and illegal double life." What he was doing on his days off, according to his boss: hanging out with a local "Outlaw Motorcycle Gang," according to a press statement from the sheriff's office.
It says in the report that police began an investigation in January and found that he "rode and socialized" with the bike gang. Then, on March 23, he was seen riding his bike down the street with two OMG members. When police and the California Highway Patrol pulled Bingham over, they saw that he had a loaded, illegal gun on him, according to the statement.
The Desert Sun says that Bingham was arrested and booked, but the next day he was freed on $10,000 bail. But his problems were still not over: According to the news release, a search order at his home found about 160 guns, including "a fully automatic assault rifle with an attached grenade launcher."
Investigators say they also found silencers, gang gear, a stolen handgun from the sheriff's office, and different "destructive devices." Bingham, who is 45 years old, was caught Thursday at a house in Twentynine Palms. He is being held on $500,000 bail. He faced 10 crimes, such as grand theft of a firearm, having a machine gun, and being a member of an illegal street gang.
All of those charges are stronger because of the gang ties. Bingham is due in court on Monday. "What this deputy did is shocking and unacceptable," Sheriff Shannon Dicus said. "He not only tarnishes his badge but also undermines the integrity and credibility of the entire department."
The Los Angeles Times writes that officials now say he did more than those two things every day and that he had "a complicated and illegal double life." What he was doing on his days off, according to his boss: hanging out with a local "Outlaw Motorcycle Gang," according to a press statement from the sheriff's office.
It says in the report that police began an investigation in January and found that he "rode and socialized" with the bike gang. Then, on March 23, he was seen riding his bike down the street with two OMG members. When police and the California Highway Patrol pulled Bingham over, they saw that he had a loaded, illegal gun on him, according to the statement.
The Desert Sun says that Bingham was arrested and booked, but the next day he was freed on $10,000 bail. But his problems were still not over: According to the news release, a search order at his home found about 160 guns, including "a fully automatic assault rifle with an attached grenade launcher."
Investigators say they also found silencers, gang gear, a stolen handgun from the sheriff's office, and different "destructive devices." Bingham, who is 45 years old, was caught Thursday at a house in Twentynine Palms. He is being held on $500,000 bail. He faced 10 crimes, such as grand theft of a firearm, having a machine gun, and being a member of an illegal street gang.
All of those charges are stronger because of the gang ties. Bingham is due in court on Monday. "What this deputy did is shocking and unacceptable," Sheriff Shannon Dicus said. "He not only tarnishes his badge but also undermines the integrity and credibility of the entire department."
